Tour operators are offering thousands of extra holidays over the Easter period
to satisfy a surge in demand among British travellers.

More than two million of us are expected to head overseas, with the large number of bank holidays offering an unprecedented incentive to escape for a break.

April 22 (Good Friday), April 25 (Easter Monday), April 29 (the royal wedding) and May 2 (May Day) are all bank holidays, meaning travellers have two chances to enjoy a long weekend away without using any of their holiday allowance, or can embark on a longer break and use just a small portion of their annual leave. For example, most people departing for a 10-night holiday on Good Friday will have to take only three days off work.

"There is a real opportunity with Easter, the royal wedding and the first May Day bank holidays being so close this year," said Ian Ailles, a spokesman for Thomas Cook, which has put on more than 100,000 extra holidays over Easter.

The threat of strikes by British Airways cabin crew has failed to dampen appetites – the airline says it will operate all its flights from Gatwick and London City, and all long-haul flights from Heathrow, if strikes do occur – and bookings for Easter have risen sharply, according to research by On the Beach, the online travel agent.

Among the most popular destinations are Portugal – where bookings over the Easter period are 90 per cent higher than last year – Malta, where sales have risen 22 per cent, and Turkey.

Alistair Daly, On the Beach's marketing director, said that uncertainty over Portugal's economy had seen airlines and hoteliers offering discounted deals. The cost of an Easter break has fallen on average this year by 28 per cent in Portugal, he said, and by 40 per cent in Turkey.

Another online agent, TravelRepublic, reported a "huge increase" in bookings, with sales to Tenerife and the Costa del Sol up by 146 per cent and 182 per cent respectively, compared with 2010.

The flight-comparison website Skyscanner has reported a sharp rise in late bookings for Easter, with mid-haul beach holidays proving more popular than city breaks. Searches for April flights to Faro, Tenerife and Istanbul are also up.

Here we present our pick of the late offers, divided into short weekend breaks and longer holidays.

All prices are per person, based on two sharing, including flights, accommodation, taxes and charges, unless otherwise stated. All offers are subject to availability.

Stockholm Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the three-star Hotel Tegnérlunden costs from £389 per person, including return flight from London City airport, with British Airways (0844 493 0758; www.ba.com/stockholm). Departs April 29.

Amsterdam Three nights’ b & b at the three-star Amstel Botel costs from £329 per person, with FlightCentre (0844 800 8628; www.flightcentre.co.uk), including return flight from Heathrow. Departs April 28.

Paris Three nights’ b & b at the three-star Novotel Vaugirard costs from £426 per person, including travel on the Eurostar, with Cresta Holidays (0844 879 8014; www.crestaholidays.co.uk). Departs April 22.

Riga Three nights’ b & b at the four-star Maritim Park Hotel costs from £247.37 per person with EasyClickTravel (www.easyclicktravel.co.uk), including return flight from Liverpool. Departs April 29.

Long breaks

Turkey Ten nights’ half board at the five-star Maritim Grand Azur in Marmaris costs from £433 per person for a family of three with Thomas Cook Style (0844 412 5970; www.thomascookstyle.com), including return flight from Leeds Bradford. Departs April 22.

Seven nights, all-inclusive, at the four-star Eftalia Resort in Konakli costs from £194 per person with Direct Holidays (0844 879 8191; www.directholidays.co.uk), including return flight from Manchester. Departs April 21.

Tunisia Now that the political situation is quieter, save £300 on a seven-night escorted tour of Tunisia with Voyages Jules Verne (0845 166 7035; www.vjv.com), visiting Tunis, Port El Kantaoui, Douz and Tozeur. From £495 per person, including full-board accommodation, BA return flight from Gatwick and a guided sightseeing itinerary. Departs April 17 or 24.

Algarve One week’s self-catering at the four-star Stella Maris in Albufeira costs from £212 per person with Direct Holidays (0844 879 8191; www.directholidays.co.uk), including return flight from Gatwick. Departs April 23.

Seven nights’ self-catering at the three-star Alagoamar Apartments in Albufeira costs from £184 per person with Airtours (0844 871 6636; www.airtours.co.uk), including return flight from Gatwick. Departs April 23.

Provence Save £690 on a one-week break at the Club Med Resort (08453 676767; www.clubmed.co.uk) in Opio en Provence, near Cannes. From £574.50 per person, for a family of four. Departs April 28.

Las Vegas Seven nights’ room-only accommodation at the three-star Riviera Hotel and Casino costs from £577.60 per person, including return flight from Heathrow, with EasyClickTravel.co.uk (www.easyclicktravel.co.uk). Departs April 25.

Norwegian cruise A six-night sailing on board Ocean Countess, departing from Tilbury on April 23 and calling at Ulvik, Eidfjord, Vik, Flåm and Bergen, costs from £399 per person with Cruise and Maritime Voyages (0845 833 9798; www.cruiseandmaritime.com).

Barbados British Airways (0844 493 0758; www.ba.com) is offering 20 per cent off 10-night stays at Amaryllis Beach resort. From £1,445 per person, including return flight from Gatwick. Departs April 22.

Sydney and the Blue Mountains Save £221 per person on an eight-night holiday (£1,695), including four nights’ accommodation in Sydney, four nights in the Blue Mountains, car hire and return flight from Heathrow, with AusTravel (0800 988 4834; www.austravel.com). Departs April 22.

Northumberland Cottages4you.co.uk (0845 268 1560; www.cottages4you.co.uk) is offering 20 per cent off one-week stays at Willow Cottage (sleeps six) in the village of Acomb. One week’s rental from April 29 now costs £526.40.